*1860: Ioann Kasatkin takes [[monasticism|monastic]] vows as Nicholas and is [[ordination|ordained]] a [[priest]].

*1860: Ioann Kasatkin takes [[monasticism|monastic]] vows as Nicholas and is [[ordination|ordained]] a [[priest]].

−

*1861: Fr. Nicholas meets Abp. Innocent of Kamchatka and discusses his [[missionary]] experience in Alaska. Fr. Nicholas arrives at the Russian Consulate in Hakodate to begin his service to the consulate and begin his missionary efforts with the Japanese.

+

*1861: Fr. Nicholas meets Abp. [[Innocent of Alaska|Innocent]] of Kamchatka and discusses his [[missionary]] experience in Alaska. Fr. Nicholas arrives at the Russian Consulate in Hakodate to begin his service to the consulate and begin his [[missionary]] efforts with the Japanese.

−

*1865: Fr. Nicholas meets [[Paul Sawabe|Takuma Sawabe]] in a confrontation over the teaching of Christianity in Japan. After listening to Fr. Nicholas, Sawabe becomes Fr. Nicholas' first student and disciple.

+

*1865: Fr. Nicholas meets [[Paul Sawabe|Takuma Sawabe]] in a confrontation over the teaching of Christianity in Japan. After listening to Fr. Nicholas, Sawabe becomes Fr. Nicholas' first student and [[disciple]].

−

*1868: Fr. Nicholas performs his first [[baptism]]s of Japanese converts in April: Sawabe received the name Paul, Sakai became John, and Urano became James.

+

*1868: Fr. Nicholas performs his first [[baptism]]s of Japanese [[conversion|converts]] in April: Sawabe received the name Paul, Sakai became John, and Urano became James.

*1870: Fr. Nicholas is elevated to the rank of [[archimandrite]], and the [[Holy Synod]] of the [[Church of Russia]] grants financial support for Fr. Nicholas' mission to Japan.

*1870: Fr. Nicholas is elevated to the rank of [[archimandrite]], and the [[Holy Synod]] of the [[Church of Russia]] grants financial support for Fr. Nicholas' mission to Japan.

*1871: Fr. Nicholas moves his missionary efforts to Tokyo.

*1871: Fr. Nicholas moves his missionary efforts to Tokyo.

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*1873: Fr. Nicholas buys property in Tokyo at Surugadai in Kanda for his headquarters and there establishes schools for catechumens and the Russian language.

*1873: Fr. Nicholas buys property in Tokyo at Surugadai in Kanda for his headquarters and there establishes schools for catechumens and the Russian language.

*1874: In May, Fr. Nicholas convened the first general council of the [[Church of Japan]].

*1874: In May, Fr. Nicholas convened the first general council of the [[Church of Japan]].

−

*1875: The first mission school away from Tokyo was opened in Osaka which became the center for Orthodoxy in southern part of Japan. The second general council of the Church was convened on [[July 12]]. At the council, the first Japanese were chosen to be ordained as [[clergy]]: Paul Sawabe as a priest and John Sakai as a deacon. Ordinations were made by Bishop Paul of East Siberia.

+

*1875: The first mission school away from Tokyo was opened in Osaka which became the center for Orthodoxy in southern part of Japan. The second general council of the Church was convened on [[July 12]]. At the council, the first Japanese were chosen to be [[ordination|ordained]] as [[clergy]]: Paul Sawabe as a priest and John Sakai as a deacon. Ordinations were made by Bishop Paul of East Siberia.

*1880: Archimandrite Nicholas is consecrated Bishop of Revel, an auxiliary of the Archdiocese Riga. Bp. Nicholas established the [[Tokyo Orthodox Seminary (Tokyo, Japan)|Tokyo Seminary]] by merging the mission and language schools.

+

*1880: Archimandrite Nicholas is consecrated Bishop of Revel, an [[Auxiliary bishop|auxiliary]] of the Archdiocese Riga. Bp. Nicholas established the [[Tokyo Orthodox Seminary (Tokyo, Japan)|Tokyo Seminary]] by merging the mission and language schools.

*1883: The Orthodox Church in Japan was served by 311 Japansese priests and 106 evangelists.

*1883: The Orthodox Church in Japan was served by 311 Japansese priests and 106 evangelists.

*1884: Ground at Kanda Surugadai were blessed for the erection of a cathedral.

*1884: Ground at Kanda Surugadai were blessed for the erection of a cathedral.

−

*1891: The [[cathedral]] at Kanda Surugadai is completed and is consecrated in the name of the [[Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Tokyo, Japan)|Holy Resurrection]] on [[March 8]]. The cathedral is known more affectionally as Nicolai-do, the House of Nicholas.

+

*1891: The [[cathedral]] at Kanda Surugadai is completed and is [[consecration of a church|consecrated]] in the name of the [[Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Tokyo, Japan)|Holy Resurrection]] on [[March 8]]. The cathedral is known more affectionally as Nicolai-do, the House of Nicholas.

*1903: The general council established, at Bp. Nicholas' recommendation, a financial plan for the independence of the Church.

*1903: The general council established, at Bp. Nicholas' recommendation, a financial plan for the independence of the Church.

*1904: The Russo-Japanese War begins. Bp. Nicholas decides to remain in Japan but not celebrate any public services.

*1904: The Russo-Japanese War begins. Bp. Nicholas decides to remain in Japan but not celebrate any public services.

*1905: The war is concluded. The Japanese Church aided the Japanese government in caring for the Russian prisoners.

*1905: The war is concluded. The Japanese Church aided the Japanese government in caring for the Russian prisoners.

*1906: [[Andronik of Perm|Hieromonk Andronik]] is consecrated Bishop of Kyoto.

*1906: [[Andronik of Perm|Hieromonk Andronik]] is consecrated Bishop of Kyoto.

−

*1907: Bp. Nicholas is elevated to Archbishop of All Japan, establishing the Church of Japan as a separated, independent diocese. Bp. Andronik departed for Russia due to poor health. Abp. Nicholas asks for an auxiliary.

+

*1907: Bp. Nicholas is elevated to Archbishop of All Japan, establishing the Church of Japan as a separated, independent [[diocese]]. Bp. Andronik departed for Russia due to poor health. Abp. Nicholas asks for an auxiliary.

*1912: Abp. Nicholas dies on [[February 16]] of heart failure. Bp. Sergius is recognized by the [[Holy Synod]] of Russia as successor to Abp. Nicholas and is elevated to Archbishop.

+

*1912: Abp. Nicholas dies on [[February 16]] of heart failure. Bp. Sergius is recognized by the [[Holy Synod]] of Russia as successor to Abp. Nicholas and is elevated to [[Archbishop]].

==After Nicholas of Japan (1912-1945)==

==After Nicholas of Japan (1912-1945)==

Line 39:

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*1941: Priest [[Nicholas (Ono) of Japan|Nicholas Ono]] elected bishop by the general council. He is consecrated Bishop Nicholas by Abp. [[Nestor (Anisimov) of Kamchatka |Nestor]] of Harbin after Fr. Ono's wife enters a Harbin [[monastery]]. Bp. Nicholas is first Japanese to be consecrated a bishop.

*1941: Priest [[Nicholas (Ono) of Japan|Nicholas Ono]] elected bishop by the general council. He is consecrated Bishop Nicholas by Abp. [[Nestor (Anisimov) of Kamchatka |Nestor]] of Harbin after Fr. Ono's wife enters a Harbin [[monastery]]. Bp. Nicholas is first Japanese to be consecrated a bishop.

*1944-45: Major Orthodox churches in Osaka, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Sendai are destroyed in World War II air raids.

*1944-45: Major Orthodox churches in Osaka, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Sendai are destroyed in World War II air raids.

−

*1945: After being arrested, Metr. Sergius dies mysteriously while under house arrest on [[August 15]], five days before the war ended. Church of Japan enters temporarily under the jurisdiction of the [[Metropolia|North American]] [[diocese]] of the [[Church of Russia]] (commonly referred to as the ‘'Metropolia'').

+

*1945: After being arrested, Metr. Sergius dies mysteriously while under house arrest on [[August 15]], five days before the war ended. Church of Japan enters temporarily under the [[jurisdiction]] of the [[Metropolia|North American]] [[diocese]] of the [[Church of Russia]] (commonly referred to as the ‘'Metropolia'').

==Post World War II (1946-Present)==

==Post World War II (1946-Present)==

Line 49:

Line 50:

*1967: Archimandrite [[Nicholas (Saiama) of Ramenskoe|Nicholas (Saiama)]] was consecrated Bishop of Tokyo by the Church of Russia to head the Patriarchal mission in Japan.

*1967: Archimandrite [[Nicholas (Saiama) of Ramenskoe|Nicholas (Saiama)]] was consecrated Bishop of Tokyo by the Church of Russia to head the Patriarchal mission in Japan.

*1970: As part of the autocephaly granted to the Metropolia in the United States, the Church of Japan was granted autonomy under the Church of Russia. Also, the Church of Russia recognized the [[saint]]hood of Abp. Nicholas as the Equal of the Apostles and Evangelizer of Japan. Abp. Vladimir was elevated by Patriarch [[Alexis of Moscow]] to Metropolitan of all Japan. With the granting of autonomy to the Church of Japan, Bp. Nicholas (Saiama) was named the Patriarchal Representative (Podvorie) in Japan.

+

*1970: As part of the [[autocephaly]] granted to the Metropolia in the United States, the Church of Japan was granted autonomy under the [[Church of Russia]]. Also, the Church of Russia recognized the [[saint]]hood of Abp. Nicholas as the Equal of the Apostles and Evangelizer of Japan. Abp. Vladimir was elevated by Patriarch [[Alexis of Moscow]] to Metropolitan of all Japan. With the granting of autonomy to the Church of Japan, Bp. Nicholas (Saiama) was named the Patriarchal Representative (Podvorie) in Japan.

*1971: Bp. [[Seraphim (Sigrist) of Sendai|Seraphim (Sigrist)]] is elected Bishop of Sendai.

*1971: Bp. [[Seraphim (Sigrist) of Sendai|Seraphim (Sigrist)]] is elected Bishop of Sendai.

*1972: Bp. Theodosius (Nagashima) of Kyoto succeeds Metr. Vladimir as Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan due to poor health.

*1972: Bp. Theodosius (Nagashima) of Kyoto succeeds Metr. Vladimir as Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan due to poor health.

Line 55:

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*1986: Abp. Nicholas (Saiama) retired as the Patriarchal Representative, to live at the Monastery of St. Sophia in Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture.

*1986: Abp. Nicholas (Saiama) retired as the Patriarchal Representative, to live at the Monastery of St. Sophia in Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture.

*1996: Abp. Nicholas (Saiama) was designated [[vicar]] of the Moscow Diocese with the title of Archbishop of Ramenskoe.

*1996: Abp. Nicholas (Saiama) was designated [[vicar]] of the Moscow Diocese with the title of Archbishop of Ramenskoe.

−

*1999: Frs. [[Daniel (Nushiro) of Japan|Daniel (Nushiro)]], [[Seraphim (Tsujie) of Sendai|Seraphim (Tsujie)]] and [[Peter (Arihara) of Yokohama|Peter (Arihara)]] are consecrated Bishop of Kyoto, Sendai and Yokohama respectively. Metr. Theodosius (Nagashima) dies, and is succeeded by [[Daniel (Nushiro) of Japan|Daniel (Nushiro]]) as Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan.

+

*1999: Frs. [[Daniel (Nushiro) of Japan|Daniel (Nushiro)]], [[Seraphim (Tsujie) of Sendai|Seraphim (Tsujie)]] and [[Peter (Arihara) of Yokohoma|Peter (Arihara)]] are consecrated Bishop of Kyoto, Sendai and Yokohama respectively. Metr. Theodosius (Nagashima) dies, and is succeeded by [[Daniel (Nushiro) of Japan|Daniel (Nushiro]]) as Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan.

−

*2000: Bp. [[Daniel (Nushiro) of Japan|Daniel (Nushiro)]] is enthroned Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan by Patr. [[Alexei II (Ridiger) of Moscow|Alexei II]] of Moscow and All Russia, who traveled personally to Japan to enthrone the new Metropolitan on [[May 14]], the first time a Russian Patriarch had ever visited the country; Bp. [[Peter (Arihara) of Yokohama|Peter (Arihara)]] dies.

+

*2000: Bp. [[Daniel (Nushiro) of Japan|Daniel (Nushiro)]] is enthroned Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan by Patr. [[Alexei II (Ridiger) of Moscow|Alexei II]] of Moscow and All Russia, who traveled personally to Japan to enthrone the new Metropolitan on [[May 14]], the first time a Russian Patriarch had ever visited the country; Bp. [[Peter (Arihara) of Yokohoma|Peter (Arihara)]] dies.

*2008: Abp. Nicholas (Saiama) of Ramenskoe reposed at St. Sophis Monastery and was buried in Gaijin Botchi.

*2008: Abp. Nicholas (Saiama) of Ramenskoe reposed at St. Sophis Monastery and was buried in Gaijin Botchi.

1861: Fr. Nicholas meets Abp. Innocent of Kamchatka and discusses his missionary experience in Alaska. Fr. Nicholas arrives at the Russian Consulate in Hakodate to begin his service to the consulate and begin his missionary efforts with the Japanese.

1865: Fr. Nicholas meets Takuma Sawabe in a confrontation over the teaching of Christianity in Japan. After listening to Fr. Nicholas, Sawabe becomes Fr. Nicholas' first student and disciple.

1868: Fr. Nicholas performs his first baptisms of Japanese converts in April: Sawabe received the name Paul, Sakai became John, and Urano became James.

1872: Fr. Nicholas baptizes his first class of ten catechumens in Tokyo.

1873: Fr. Nicholas buys property in Tokyo at Surugadai in Kanda for his headquarters and there establishes schools for catechumens and the Russian language.

1874: In May, Fr. Nicholas convened the first general council of the Church of Japan.

1875: The first mission school away from Tokyo was opened in Osaka which became the center for Orthodoxy in southern part of Japan. The second general council of the Church was convened on July 12. At the council, the first Japanese were chosen to be ordained as clergy: Paul Sawabe as a priest and John Sakai as a deacon. Ordinations were made by Bishop Paul of East Siberia.

1878: Fr. Vladimir Sokolovsky, a graduate of Kazan Academy becomes dean of the Russian language school at Kanda Surugadai.

1880: Archimandrite Nicholas is consecrated Bishop of Revel, an auxiliary of the Archdiocese Riga. Bp. Nicholas established the Tokyo Seminary by merging the mission and language schools.

1882: Bp. Nicholas of Japan ordained the first Chinese Orthodox priest, Fr. Mitrophan Yang, for the Russian Orthodox Mission in Beijing, China, on June 29, 1882 in Tokyo, Japan.

1883: The Orthodox Church in Japan was served by 311 Japansese priests and 106 evangelists.

1884: Ground at Kanda Surugadai were blessed for the erection of a cathedral.

1907: Bp. Nicholas is elevated to Archbishop of All Japan, establishing the Church of Japan as a separated, independent diocese. Bp. Andronik departed for Russia due to poor health. Abp. Nicholas asks for an auxiliary.

1912: Abp. Nicholas dies on February 16 of heart failure. Bp. Sergius is recognized by the Holy Synod of Russia as successor to Abp. Nicholas and is elevated to Archbishop.

After Nicholas of Japan (1912-1945)

1917: The revolutions in Russia caused loss of financial support for the Church of Japan.

1923: The Great Kanto earthquake of September 1 caused severe damage to Holy Resurrection Cathedral and other building of the cathedral complex. Abp. Sergius expends major effort to raise funds and restore the cathedral.

1929: The re-built Holy Resurrection Cathedral is re-consecrated on December 15.

1931: Abp. Sergius is elevated to Metropolitan of All Japan by the Holy Synod of Russia.

1940: Militarized Japanese government enacts laws requiring all religious organizations in Japan to have Japanese in leadership positions. Metr. Sergius and non-Japanese staff retire. Metr. Sergius chooses to remain in Japan.

1941: Priest Nicholas Ono elected bishop by the general council. He is consecrated Bishop Nicholas by Abp. Nestor of Harbin after Fr. Ono's wife enters a Harbin monastery. Bp. Nicholas is first Japanese to be consecrated a bishop.

1944-45: Major Orthodox churches in Osaka, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Sendai are destroyed in World War II air raids.

1970: As part of the autocephaly granted to the Metropolia in the United States, the Church of Japan was granted autonomy under the Church of Russia. Also, the Church of Russia recognized the sainthood of Abp. Nicholas as the Equal of the Apostles and Evangelizer of Japan. Abp. Vladimir was elevated by Patriarch Alexis of Moscow to Metropolitan of all Japan. With the granting of autonomy to the Church of Japan, Bp. Nicholas (Saiama) was named the Patriarchal Representative (Podvorie) in Japan.

2000: Bp. Daniel (Nushiro) is enthroned Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan by Patr. Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia, who traveled personally to Japan to enthrone the new Metropolitan on May 14, the first time a Russian Patriarch had ever visited the country; Bp. Peter (Arihara) dies.

2008: Abp. Nicholas (Saiama) of Ramenskoe reposed at St. Sophis Monastery and was buried in Gaijin Botchi.

Sources

A. Ishido, Masters Thesis, The Achievement of St. Nicholas, Equal of the Apostles and Evangelizer of Japan, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, 1974.